England have so many options to replace Ashley Cole at left back, picking one will be a pleasing problem for Roy Hodgson to ponder, says John Cross

Ashley Cole has been one of the first names on England's team sheet for more than a decade (Photo: Getty)

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Roy Hodgson would surely lead England to glory at a World Cup for left backs.

It is hard to think of any country with such an array of talent in the position as England have at their disposal.

Ashley Cole has been the best left back in the world for the past decade and only now is the Chelsea star facing question marks over his England place.

That is down to the threat of Everton's Leighton Baines who is more of an attacking option as he not only loves to make forward runs but can also hit brilliant free kicks.

When Cole was out injured last week, Kieran Gibbs got the call-up after his outstanding start to the season with Arsenal.

You also have Luke Shaw emerging at Southampton and he has starred for England's under-21s in the past year.

When Shaw pulled out of England's win in San Marino, then up stepped Arsenal's Carl Jenkinson who has already won a full cap.

While there are problems in other positions for England - namely keeper and centre halves - there is a rich talent pool coming through at left back which should fill the squad for the next decade or so.

That is encouraging for both Hodgson and England under-21 boss Gareth Southgate whose squad face Lithuania on Tuesday night at Ipswich on the back of an encouraging win over minnows San Marino.

The problem with Southgate's squad a few weeks ago was that so few were in first team starting line-ups in the Premier League.

Suddenly, with Ravel Morrison starring at West Ham, Shaw impressing at Southampton, Saido Berahino getting games at West Brom, they look much stronger.

Morrison, 20, in particular, is catching the eye because he has something different and special and that can give a real creative spark.

It left Southgate praising Morrison, a reformed bad boy, after his excellent start to the campaign with West Ham which has propelled him back into the England set-up.

Southgate said: "We've been very aware of him coming through the England junior teams. I've spoken to Sam Allardyce at length about his progress. The one thing I said from the off was I wanted creative talents in the squad.

"There always has to be a balance in your squad of characters and styles of player, but somebody who can, in the same way Raheem (Sterling) and Wilf and Jesse Lingard can, unlock defences are a valuable commodity.

"That is especially in the types of games we've got where teams are banking up against us and making it very difficult for us to break them down. It's just great to see a young man enjoying his football."